Middle School: Grades 5-8
The period of development between the ages of 10 and 14 can be complex and confusing for middle-level learners, but it can also be an exciting time of academic, emotional and social discovery.
We meet the needs of this unique age group by providing a rich curriculum, engaged teachers, and a safe, nurturing environment. We strive to inspire creativity and imagination, and our whole-child approach fosters a sense of leadership and responsibility.
Academic Program
Middle school students work through a strong, traditional academic program, grounded in the fundamental skills of reading, writing, speaking, observing and studying. During these years they are asked to stretch from the concrete to the abstract. Students mature both mentally and physically in different stages, and our challenge is to meet them where they are and empower them to progress to the next stage of their journey.
Exploratory Courses
Extending beyond traditional disciplines, our curriculum also includes exploratory courses at each grade level such as Web Design, Stream Biology, and Public Speaking. These rotating courses provide unique experiences and expose students to the world beyond the traditional scope and sequence. Every middle schooler is involved in a Club period at some point during the year, which utilizes the information and technology centers.
Middle School Structure
Students in grades 5-8 have a number of opportunities to explore and expand their interests, and the structure of Swain’s Middle School is designed to enhance their experiences. As they did in Lower School, fifth graders are in a contained classroom and take classes with the various specialists. Beginning in sixth grade, the Middle School students have classes with different teachers for their core subjects as well as specialists. They are also grouped into Advisories – small groups of students who meet several times a week with a faculty Advisor.
Each of the grades (six – eight) also have a Grade Level Coordinator, who works with the students to develop their leadership skills in a planned program using these themes:
- Sixth Grade: Resiliency, Hope and Determination
- Seventh Grade: Becoming Critical Thinkers in School and in Life
- Eighth Grade: Leadership and Social Justice in a Changing World
In addition to developing the class theme, the Grade Level Coordinators assist each student in formulating a community speech, provide leadership training (see below), and participate with their class on field trips and other activities.
Leadership Opportunities
A major aspect of the grade level programming is a comprehensive, inclusive leadership program. Implicit in our is the idea that we are preparing students for life. Opportunity, inclusion, and community are all words and concepts important to a Swain education. With that, it is essential that we provide students with meaningful, equitable leadership opportunities during their time in the middle school. In this model, teaching leadership is deliberate and focused.
Sixth graders take a course on leadership, focusing on what it means to be a leader, exploring case studies, and keeping a leadership journal. The goal in sixth grade is to examine the complexities of leadership and to develop a foundation that will support action leadership beginning the following year.
Seventh graders transition from discussing concepts of leadership to building their leadership skills. They have the opportunity to serve on committees for various events (established by eighth graders), build their own leadership portfolios, and design and run a leadership forum for fifth- and sixth graders.
Eighth graders essentially participate in a leadership lab. They have the opportunity to organize and facilitate school events and projects such as assemblies, community service, global studies initiatives, and other special programming. The goals in eighth grade are to help students initiate and develop new ideas and to learn how to collaborate with adults in the decision making process.
Eighth Grade Independent Study
To create a capstone experience, eighth grade students are encouraged to follow and explore their passions. Student interests might include examining ‘green’ initiatives for the school or home, writing and publishing a play, solving practical problems such as how to soundproof the Cougar Café, producing and editing a documentary, or building a piece of furniture. In addition, performing independent community service hours can be an area of study for some students.
These interests are discussed and developed with independent study advisors, who meet with the students once per month during the course of the project (October-May). An independent study advisor is any teacher or staff person in the school who is interested in working with students on a liberating, creative, meaningful project.
For More Information
Please complete our , or call the Admissions Office at 610-433-4542, ext. 119.
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